(12 Feb 2018) British Prime MinisterTheresa May arrived at Stormont on Monday for a meeting with Irish leaders as hopes rose for an end to a political stalemate that has left Northern Ireland without a government for more than a year.
May and her Irish counterpart, Leo Varadkar, were due to hold talks with the main political parties in Northern Ireland's collapsed power-sharing administration.
May's office said Monday's trip was aimed at encouraging the pro-British Democratic Unionist Party and Irish nationalists of Sinn Fein to resolve their differences.
The Catholic-Protestant power-sharing administration has been suspended since January 2017, after breaking down amid scandal over a botched green-energy project.
The parties have blamed each other for the impasse that threatens power-sharing, the key achievement of Northern Ireland's 1998peace accord.
May also visited aircraft workers at the Bombardier factory in east Belfast.
Bombardier's recent trade dispute with US company Boeing had threatened jobs at the Belfast plant.
However last month the proposed 292 percent tariff on the US import of the jets was overturned by the US International Trade Commission (ITC) in Washington DC.
You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/c6445d671fd6d9fb3b032dd9dab74127
Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork

published:17 Feb 2018

views:230

Paul Lalonde chose to study the Master of Arts: Public Administration at Carleton. In this video he tells you why.
To learn more about the program and to apply, visit: http://graduate.carleton.ca/programs/public-administration-masters
With more than 100 graduate programs, you'll find yours at Carleton. Our interdisciplinary programs allow you to shape your education based on your concerns and interests. All this while living in Canada's capital city.
Let us help you launch the next phase of your academic career.
Get connected. Join Carleton's grad school in Ottawa: http://graduate.carleton.ca/getconnected
Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/CUGradStudies

published:04 Dec 2013

views:2121

Peter Robinson's comments come amid a row over whether letters sent to nearly 200 alleged IRA fugitives as part of the ongoing peace process provided them with immunity.
The writing of state-sanctioned letters, which effectively granted immunity from arrest, led to the collapse of the trial of John Downey, who was suspected of involvement in the 1982 Hyde Park bombing.
The scene of the 1982 Hyde Park bombing
Addressing the Northern Ireland Assembly which had been recalled to debate the controversy, he said: "Let me make it clear that this British government and Sinn Fein scheme is and was wrong.
"Many people considered it had the impact in the Downey case of providing an effective amnesty."
Mr Robinson said the "secret letters" scheme exposed to the full glare of public attention a process that had been agreed well over a decade ago between Sinn Fein and the British government.
He said he believed only Sinn Fein was aware of an "administrative process and a provision of letters of comfort" to on-the-runs.
And in response to claims by Sinn Fein that the Democratic Unionist Party had "manufactured" a crisis, he told the Stormont assembly the "outrage" was "not synthetic".
"It was on outrage felt by victims, by those within the political process, that they had been bypassed by the British Government and Sinn Fein," he said.
Hyde Park bomb suspect John Downey
In reference to Prime Minister David Cameron's announcement on Thursday of a judge-led inquiry into the arrangement, Mr Robinson said the full investigation could not be "a paper exercise".
He said it needed to "get at the truth of all that went on" in order to restore public confidence - which he said had been "seriously damaged by this murky deal".
Mr Robinson said the issue raised a number of fundamental issues which demanded answers.
"We want to find out who knew what and when about letters being made available to on-the-runs," he said.
"We want to know what happened in the Downey case, never happens again.
"We want to be sure that those who are the recipients of these letters cannot rely on them to avoid questioning or prosecution, or on the basis of information or evidence that is now or may later become available."
The emergency debate was focused on a motion tabled by the DUP expressing disgust at the deal the UK Government struck with Sinn Fein on OTRs.
Northern Ireland SecretaryTheresa Villiers
Sinn Fein Deputy First MinisterMartin McGuinness accused the DUP of irresponsibly threatening the stability of power sharing.
"At many times throughout this process I could have walked away, I could have threatened to resign. I have not done that," he said.
"I have sought solutions and agreement and we have progressed to where we are today because of those agreements. The peace and political process needs (to be) defended, protected and promoted by all political leaders - it certainly does not need to be threatened."
The DUP motion was passed with only Sinn Fein members voting against it.
Mr Cameron has said the independent judge appointed to oversea the inquiry will have "full access to Government files and officials" and would report by May.
Earlier, Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers conceded there was "grave concern" about the way the scheme, created by the previous government, was operated.
But she reiterated her pledge that the so-called "amnesty" letters would not prevent suspects from being "questioned or prosecuted".
Victims' CommissionerKathrynStone said terrorism victims in Northern Ireland had been left "disappointed and bemused" by the revelations surrounding the Downey case.
Ms Stone, who has been appointed by the Stormont administration to independently represent the views of victims, added: "There are a lot of myths, let's make sure that we have real clarity," she said.

Declan KearneyVideoDiary: Sinn Féin have called for the British and Irish governments to convene an early meeting of the inter-governmental conference to ensure full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement and protection of people's rights in the North. For their part, the DUP need to 'check in' to the reality that it will not be returning to government in the North unless and until there is agreement on the establishment of a rights based, power sharing administration. Read more on Declan Kearney's thoughts on these issues in this latest blog published on anphoblacht.com

published:30 Nov 2017

views:23

Acting First Minister, Arlene Foster, answered Members’ questions on behalf of the Department during today’s Question Time. Steven AgnewMLA was keen to find out the costs involved in the proposed new ChildcareStrategy. The consultation period for the Strategy will end on 13 November2015 and will include a series of public consultation events. Costs will include capital grants to fund new childcare places, grant administration and registration, and inspection of facilities. The Grant Scheme will be the most costly of the 22 actions outlined in the proposal with community-based childcare, cross-border childcare, assistance for private sector providers, childcare for private firms, capital fund for childcare, flexible childcare and childcare for low income families also requiring funding. Mr Agnew expressed concern that the finance will not be available for the strategy given the current financial climate. Mrs Foster argued that the intention for the scheme is to be sustainable in the longer term making the initial cash injection a prudent investment adding, “we don’t want to get in to a situation where we are paying out a grant year-on-year and drag down the market for childcare which will be the wrong way to move forward, so we need to look at how we’re putting the intervention in place and making sure we get the best value for money out of it”.
Brenda Hale then asked the Minister to outline any recent improvements in provision for Victims and Survivors. Mrs Foster affirmed the commitment to providing Victims and Survivors with the best service possible. The review of the Victims and Survivors Service in 2014 and the appointment of a new Victims Commissioner serve as evidence of the continued desire to ensure the best possible provision. A collaborative design programme was set up to provide an improved model for service delivery which better meets the needs of all victims and survivors. The expansion of services provided to Victims and Survivors was also a key aspect of the Stormont House Agreement. Mrs Hale then expressed concern about recent media reports that perpetrators will be granted amnesty for crimes committed during the Troubles as part of the Stormont House Agreement. However Mrs Foster was quick to dismiss such a suggestion saying that there is no amnesty agreed at Stormont House and no plans to include it in legislation at Westminster. The Minister described the reports as “very upsetting to a wide range of people who have suffered during the Troubles.”
During Question Time the Minister also fielded questions on the sale of the former Ministry of Defence site at Ballykelly and Social investment Fund projects in Upper Bann. The regular period for oral questions was then followed by a 15 minute period of topical questions.

published:22 Sep 2015

views:145

English/Nat
The British Prime MinisterTony Blair arrived on Tuesday at Stormont, the centre of British administration in Northern Ireland.
His mission is to prevent the long awaited peace settlement from unravelling only hours after it was presented to the eight parties at the negotiating table.
In a casual address to the press he maintained an optimistic approach and said that talks of this complexity would always be fraught and plagued with setbacks.
Despite the latest setback Blair felt that all sides should try any means possible to keep the peace talks on track.
The leader of Northern Ireland's main pro-British party today slammed the compromise settlement presented by the American chairman of the province's peace talks.
After 15 hours of talks, former U-S Senator George Mitchell emerged at 1 a-m g-m-t on Tuesday and said his draft accord would inspire "an historic few days of final negotiation" starting today.
Despite this optimism, Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble criticised Mitchell's document as unacceptable shortly after the participating parties returned at midday to the negotiating venue of Stormont.
Trimble spoke to British Prime Minister Tony Blair by telephone and dropped his bombshell.
He issued a statement warning that "the greater number of people in Northern Ireland" would not approve of Mitchell's plans.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"What is important is to work out whether there is a real difference in substance or whether we can actually overcome any of the remaining difficulties that there are but these are always going to be very tough and very hard negotiations. And I think we all recognise that, I mean I'm here because I believe it is my duty because if we've got any chance at all at bringing a stable and lasting peace to people in Northern Ireland, we've got to take the chance and leaders should lead and they should be up front when leading and that is why I am here."
SUPERCAPTION: Tony Blair, UK Prime Minister
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"I feel the hand of history upon our shoulder in respect to this, I really do and I just think we need to acknowledge that and respond to it. Now maybe it is impossible to find a way through, maybe even with the best faith in the world you can't do it, but it is right to try so I am here to try."
SUPER CAPTION: Tony Blair, UK Prime Minister
You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/e6c581433cbb6e15212692da5fc20bbd
Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork

published:21 Jul 2015

views:1360

SHOTLIST
POOL
1. Deputy leader of Sinn Fein, Martin McGuinness, walking towards steps of Northern Ireland Assembly building
2. McGuinness going through door, shaking hands with Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams and others
3. Mid of leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), Ian Paisley getting out of car
4. Paisley walking into building
POOL
5. Britain's Northern Ireland SecretaryPeter Hain arriving and making the thumbs up signal on steps
POOL
6. Media outside Northern Ireland Assembly building
POOL
7. US SenatorTed Kennedy arriving
POOL
8. Various of police and security personnel outside Northern Ireland Assembly building
9. Hain and Speaker of the Assembly, Eileen Bell, waiting for British Prime MinisterTony Blair to arrive
10. Various of Blair and Irish Prime MinisterBertie Ahern arriving and greeting Hain and Bell
11. Wide of Assembly
12. Adams speaking
13. Bell sitting as Speaker of the Assembly
14. Cutaway of members of Assembly
15. Wide of Assembly
16. Paisley standing UPSOUND: "I affirm the terms of the pledge of office as set out in Schedule 4 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998."
17. Wide of Assembly with Paisley sitting down UPSOUND: "I now ask Martin McGuinness as Deputy First Minister designate to make the affirmation in the form prescribed, Mr McGuinness."
18. McGuinness standing to speak UPSOUND: (McGuinness speaks first in Irish then English) (in English) "I affirm the terms of the pledge of office as set out in Schedule 4 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998."
19. Wide of Assembly, close-up of Paisley and McGuinness UPSOUND: "I now confirm that the Right Honourable Dr Ian Paisley and Mr Martin McGuinness has affirmed the terms of the pledge of office, having taken up office as First Minister and Deputy First Minister in accordance with the Northern IrelandSt Andrews Agreement Act 2006)
POOL
20. Blair, Paisley, Ahern, Hain and McGuinness entering meeting
21. Various of meeting
22. High wide of ceremony in the grand foyer of Stormont Parliamentary Building with Blair, Paisley, Ahern, Hain and McGuinness at top of stairs looking down at dignitaries
23. Mid of Blair and Paisley
24. Dignitaries assembled at ceremony
25. Blair, Paisley, Ahern, Hain and McGuinness walking down stairs
26. Pan along Ahern, Blair, Paisley, McGuinness and Paisley
27. Assembly members including Adams on edge smiling and then looking down
STORYLINE
Protestant leader Ian Paisley, who spent decades refusing to cooperate with Northern Ireland's Catholic minority, was elected on Tuesday to oversee a power-sharing administration alongside his longtime Sinn Fein foes.
The unopposed election of Democratic Unionist Party chief Paisley and Irish Republican Army veteran Martin McGuinness to lead a new 12-member administration heralded an astonishing new era for Northern Ireland following decades of bloodshed and political stalemate that left 3,700 dead.
81-year-old Paisley immediately affirmed an oath pledging to cooperate with Catholics and the government of the neighbouring Republic of Ireland, moves that the evangelical firebrand had long denounced as surrender.
Seconds later, Sinn Fein deputy leader McGuinness accepted the number 2 post of deputy first minister.
56-year-old McGuinness affirmed the same oath, which required all ministers to support the Northern Ireland police and British courts, a position that Sinn Fein refused for decades to accept.
Within a few more minutes, all 12 power-sharing positions were filled on the basis of how many seats each party holds in the Northern Ireland Assembly.
The assembly quickly adjourned to mingle with a jubilant crowd of dignitaries and well-wishers in the grand foyer of Stormont Parliamentary Building.
McGuinness did not manage an audible peep.
You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/afe3a6cda3b78f6e35f390c18c9ae489
Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork

published:21 Jul 2015

views:385

English/Nat
The search for a Northern Irelandpeace settlement continued on Monday with the resumption of multi-party talks at Stormont in east Belfast.
The British and Irish governments, which co-sponsor the talks, presented a two-page plan for the eight participating parties to assess.
The document sets out priorities and an agenda for the coming weeks, including proposals for constitutional change in the province.
Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams arrived for the Stormont talks the day after one of his relatives had been shot dead by a Protestant group opposed to the peace process.
There were hopes that the new year might bring new attitudes, with attention focused on the British and Irish governments' May deadline for a settlement to be reached.
But rising violence from renegade gangs on both sides and Protestant politicians' threats to withdraw from talks have sullied the negotiating environment.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"I've come from his home (Terry Enwright, the murder victim) to go in here to talk to my colleagues about negotiations. Other people are still refusing to talk in that building, other political leaders are still refusing to accept the rights of other political parties, and of other citizens, and their refusal to talk has created the vacuum which has been filled by the death squads."
SUPERCAPTION: Gerry Adams, Sinn Fein President
Politicians faced that shadow of violence on Monday as they undertook to try to find a lasting settlement in the province.
And there was a determination emanating from the British contingent.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"In a sense all these appalling murders over the holidays that have taken place over the holiday period do concentrate the mind but what they don't do is deflect from the purpose of coming to an agreement, and that's why it's so important that all the parties who were here before Christmas, all of them are now coming back, with that determination to go ahead with business."
SUPER CAPTION: Paul Murphy, Political Development Minister for Northern Ireland Office
For local parties attending the talks, there is still some dissatisfaction with the handling of the process by co-sponsors of the effort, Britain and Ireland.
Before the talks began Gary McMichael of the Ulster Democratic Party singled out the Irish government.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"We've seen the speculation over the weekend about a possible Tony Blair initiative. We're anxious to see what the contents of that might be. But I think that in this moment in time we are dissatisfied with the attitude of the Irish government and what seems to be a lack of grasp for what is possible within this, within this process."
SUPER CAPTION: Gary McMichael, Ulster Democratic Party
The negotiations began in June 1996 at this centre of British administration in east Belfast, under the direction of former U-S Senate Majority LeaderGeorge Mitchell.
Politicians last met in December, when they could not even agree an agenda outlining subjects for discussion.
This time the politicians included in the talks expressed hope that something could be achieved.
Although David Ervine of the Progressive Unionist Part warned against those who were not prepared to negotiate honestly.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Yes I've always been hopeful, that provided there is a will among participants, that we could achieve something.
I would think that as the deadline approaches the will of the participants should increase, or at least - if they're not prepared to be honourable and straightforward about this process - then it should be easily identifiable by people like yourselves that they're not."
SUPER CAPTION: David Ervine, Progressive Unionist Party
SOUNDBITE: (English)
You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/9ff05668ebb8588534dd51f51621a476
Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork

Sinn Féin

Sinn Féin (/ʃɪnˈfeɪn/shin-FAYNIrish pronunciation:[ʃɪnʲ ˈfʲeːnʲ]) is an Irish republican political party active in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. The name is Irish for "ourselves" or "we ourselves", although it is frequently mistranslated as "ourselves alone". Originating in the Sinn Féin organisation founded in 1905 by Arthur Griffith, it took its current form in 1970 after a split within the party (the other party became the Workers' Party of Ireland), and has been historically associated with the IRA.Gerry Adams has been party president since 1983.

See also

Sinn Féin (slogan)

Sinn Féin ("ourselves" or "we ourselves") and Sinn Féin Amháin ("ourselves alone") are Irish-language phrases used as a political slogan by Irish nationalists in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. While advocating Irish national self-reliance, its precise political meaning was undefined, variously interpreted as separatist republicanism or Arthur Griffith-style dual monarchism. Its earliest use was to describe individual political radicals unconnected with any party and espousing a more "advanced nationalism" than the Irish Home Rule movement. In the 1890s "Sinn Féin, Sinn Féin amháin" was the slogan of the Gaelic League, which advocates the revival of the Irish language.

"Ourselves Alone"

The literal translation of sinn féin is "ourselves" or "we ourselves". Among Irish speakers, "Sinn Féin! Sinn Féin!" was also an exhortation to quell a brimming feud, i.e. "we are all one here!" When English-speakers adopted the slogan, the most common gloss was "ourselves alone", which was also used as a political slogan; it is unclear whether the English or Irish version came first. Ben Novick says the less accurate translation was adopted "as it more clearly summed up the philosophy behind the movement". Alvin Jackson says it may have been a construct of opponents to highlight the individuals' political isolation or the perceived selfishness of abandoning Britain, as in this Punch parody from World War I:

The office is not established by any constitution or law but exists only by long-established convention, which stipulates that the monarch must appoint as prime minister the person most likely to command the confidence of the House of Commons; this individual is typically the leader of the political party or coalition of parties that holds the largest number of seats in that chamber. The position of Prime Minister was not created; it evolved slowly and erratically over three hundred years due to numerous acts of Parliament, political developments, and accidents of history. The office is therefore best understood from a historical perspective. The origins of the position are found in constitutional changes that occurred during the Revolutionary Settlement (1688–1720) and the resulting shift of political power from the Sovereign to Parliament. Although the Sovereign was not stripped of the ancient prerogative powers and legally remained the head of government, politically it gradually became necessary for him or her to govern through a Prime Minister who could command a majority in Parliament.

UK PM arrives at Stormont ahead of Ireland talks

(12 Feb 2018) British Prime MinisterTheresa May arrived at Stormont on Monday for a meeting with Irish leaders as hopes rose for an end to a political stalemate that has left Northern Ireland without a government for more than a year.
May and her Irish counterpart, Leo Varadkar, were due to hold talks with the main political parties in Northern Ireland's collapsed power-sharing administration.
May's office said Monday's trip was aimed at encouraging the pro-British Democratic Unionist Party and Irish nationalists of Sinn Fein to resolve their differences.
The Catholic-Protestant power-sharing administration has been suspended since January 2017, after breaking down amid scandal over a botched green-energy project.
The parties have blamed each other for the impasse that threatens power-sharing, the key achievement of Northern Ireland's 1998peace accord.
May also visited aircraft workers at the Bombardier factory in east Belfast.
Bombardier's recent trade dispute with US company Boeing had threatened jobs at the Belfast plant.
However last month the proposed 292 percent tariff on the US import of the jets was overturned by the US International Trade Commission (ITC) in Washington DC.
You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/c6445d671fd6d9fb3b032dd9dab74127
Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork

2:52

Choosing Carleton's MA in Public Administration

Choosing Carleton's MA in Public Administration

Choosing Carleton's MA in Public Administration

Paul Lalonde chose to study the Master of Arts: Public Administration at Carleton. In this video he tells you why.
To learn more about the program and to apply, visit: http://graduate.carleton.ca/programs/public-administration-masters
With more than 100 graduate programs, you'll find yours at Carleton. Our interdisciplinary programs allow you to shape your education based on your concerns and interests. All this while living in Canada's capital city.
Let us help you launch the next phase of your academic career.
Get connected. Join Carleton's grad school in Ottawa: http://graduate.carleton.ca/getconnected
Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/CUGradStudies

4:02

IRA Letter Scheme A 'Murky Deal', Says Robinson

IRA Letter Scheme A 'Murky Deal', Says Robinson

IRA Letter Scheme A 'Murky Deal', Says Robinson

Peter Robinson's comments come amid a row over whether letters sent to nearly 200 alleged IRA fugitives as part of the ongoing peace process provided them with immunity.
The writing of state-sanctioned letters, which effectively granted immunity from arrest, led to the collapse of the trial of John Downey, who was suspected of involvement in the 1982 Hyde Park bombing.
The scene of the 1982 Hyde Park bombing
Addressing the Northern Ireland Assembly which had been recalled to debate the controversy, he said: "Let me make it clear that this British government and Sinn Fein scheme is and was wrong.
"Many people considered it had the impact in the Downey case of providing an effective amnesty."
Mr Robinson said the "secret letters" scheme exposed to the full glare of public attention a process that had been agreed well over a decade ago between Sinn Fein and the British government.
He said he believed only Sinn Fein was aware of an "administrative process and a provision of letters of comfort" to on-the-runs.
And in response to claims by Sinn Fein that the Democratic Unionist Party had "manufactured" a crisis, he told the Stormont assembly the "outrage" was "not synthetic".
"It was on outrage felt by victims, by those within the political process, that they had been bypassed by the British Government and Sinn Fein," he said.
Hyde Park bomb suspect John Downey
In reference to Prime Minister David Cameron's announcement on Thursday of a judge-led inquiry into the arrangement, Mr Robinson said the full investigation could not be "a paper exercise".
He said it needed to "get at the truth of all that went on" in order to restore public confidence - which he said had been "seriously damaged by this murky deal".
Mr Robinson said the issue raised a number of fundamental issues which demanded answers.
"We want to find out who knew what and when about letters being made available to on-the-runs," he said.
"We want to know what happened in the Downey case, never happens again.
"We want to be sure that those who are the recipients of these letters cannot rely on them to avoid questioning or prosecution, or on the basis of information or evidence that is now or may later become available."
The emergency debate was focused on a motion tabled by the DUP expressing disgust at the deal the UK Government struck with Sinn Fein on OTRs.
Northern Ireland SecretaryTheresa Villiers
Sinn Fein Deputy First MinisterMartin McGuinness accused the DUP of irresponsibly threatening the stability of power sharing.
"At many times throughout this process I could have walked away, I could have threatened to resign. I have not done that," he said.
"I have sought solutions and agreement and we have progressed to where we are today because of those agreements. The peace and political process needs (to be) defended, protected and promoted by all political leaders - it certainly does not need to be threatened."
The DUP motion was passed with only Sinn Fein members voting against it.
Mr Cameron has said the independent judge appointed to oversea the inquiry will have "full access to Government files and officials" and would report by May.
Earlier, Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers conceded there was "grave concern" about the way the scheme, created by the previous government, was operated.
But she reiterated her pledge that the so-called "amnesty" letters would not prevent suspects from being "questioned or prosecuted".
Victims' CommissionerKathrynStone said terrorism victims in Northern Ireland had been left "disappointed and bemused" by the revelations surrounding the Downey case.
Ms Stone, who has been appointed by the Stormont administration to independently represent the views of victims, added: "There are a lot of myths, let's make sure that we have real clarity," she said.

Do your fucking job!

Declan Kearney: Time for DUP to 'check in' to political reality of rights based administration

Declan Kearney: Time for DUP to 'check in' to political reality of rights based administration

Declan Kearney: Time for DUP to 'check in' to political reality of rights based administration

Declan KearneyVideoDiary: Sinn Féin have called for the British and Irish governments to convene an early meeting of the inter-governmental conference to ensure full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement and protection of people's rights in the North. For their part, the DUP need to 'check in' to the reality that it will not be returning to government in the North unless and until there is agreement on the establishment of a rights based, power sharing administration. Read more on Declan Kearney's thoughts on these issues in this latest blog published on anphoblacht.com

47:40

Question Time: OFMdFM 21 September 2015

Question Time: OFMdFM 21 September 2015

Question Time: OFMdFM 21 September 2015

Acting First Minister, Arlene Foster, answered Members’ questions on behalf of the Department during today’s Question Time. Steven AgnewMLA was keen to find out the costs involved in the proposed new ChildcareStrategy. The consultation period for the Strategy will end on 13 November2015 and will include a series of public consultation events. Costs will include capital grants to fund new childcare places, grant administration and registration, and inspection of facilities. The Grant Scheme will be the most costly of the 22 actions outlined in the proposal with community-based childcare, cross-border childcare, assistance for private sector providers, childcare for private firms, capital fund for childcare, flexible childcare and childcare for low income families also requiring funding. Mr Agnew expressed concern that the finance will not be available for the strategy given the current financial climate. Mrs Foster argued that the intention for the scheme is to be sustainable in the longer term making the initial cash injection a prudent investment adding, “we don’t want to get in to a situation where we are paying out a grant year-on-year and drag down the market for childcare which will be the wrong way to move forward, so we need to look at how we’re putting the intervention in place and making sure we get the best value for money out of it”.
Brenda Hale then asked the Minister to outline any recent improvements in provision for Victims and Survivors. Mrs Foster affirmed the commitment to providing Victims and Survivors with the best service possible. The review of the Victims and Survivors Service in 2014 and the appointment of a new Victims Commissioner serve as evidence of the continued desire to ensure the best possible provision. A collaborative design programme was set up to provide an improved model for service delivery which better meets the needs of all victims and survivors. The expansion of services provided to Victims and Survivors was also a key aspect of the Stormont House Agreement. Mrs Hale then expressed concern about recent media reports that perpetrators will be granted amnesty for crimes committed during the Troubles as part of the Stormont House Agreement. However Mrs Foster was quick to dismiss such a suggestion saying that there is no amnesty agreed at Stormont House and no plans to include it in legislation at Westminster. The Minister described the reports as “very upsetting to a wide range of people who have suffered during the Troubles.”
During Question Time the Minister also fielded questions on the sale of the former Ministry of Defence site at Ballykelly and Social investment Fund projects in Upper Bann. The regular period for oral questions was then followed by a 15 minute period of topical questions.

1:27

N. IRELAND: BELFAST: TONY BLAIR AT MULTI PARTY PEACE TALKS

N. IRELAND: BELFAST: TONY BLAIR AT MULTI PARTY PEACE TALKS

N. IRELAND: BELFAST: TONY BLAIR AT MULTI PARTY PEACE TALKS

English/Nat
The British Prime MinisterTony Blair arrived on Tuesday at Stormont, the centre of British administration in Northern Ireland.
His mission is to prevent the long awaited peace settlement from unravelling only hours after it was presented to the eight parties at the negotiating table.
In a casual address to the press he maintained an optimistic approach and said that talks of this complexity would always be fraught and plagued with setbacks.
Despite the latest setback Blair felt that all sides should try any means possible to keep the peace talks on track.
The leader of Northern Ireland's main pro-British party today slammed the compromise settlement presented by the American chairman of the province's peace talks.
After 15 hours of talks, former U-S Senator George Mitchell emerged at 1 a-m g-m-t on Tuesday and said his draft accord would inspire "an historic few days of final negotiation" starting today.
Despite this optimism, Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble criticised Mitchell's document as unacceptable shortly after the participating parties returned at midday to the negotiating venue of Stormont.
Trimble spoke to British Prime Minister Tony Blair by telephone and dropped his bombshell.
He issued a statement warning that "the greater number of people in Northern Ireland" would not approve of Mitchell's plans.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"What is important is to work out whether there is a real difference in substance or whether we can actually overcome any of the remaining difficulties that there are but these are always going to be very tough and very hard negotiations. And I think we all recognise that, I mean I'm here because I believe it is my duty because if we've got any chance at all at bringing a stable and lasting peace to people in Northern Ireland, we've got to take the chance and leaders should lead and they should be up front when leading and that is why I am here."
SUPERCAPTION: Tony Blair, UK Prime Minister
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"I feel the hand of history upon our shoulder in respect to this, I really do and I just think we need to acknowledge that and respond to it. Now maybe it is impossible to find a way through, maybe even with the best faith in the world you can't do it, but it is right to try so I am here to try."
SUPER CAPTION: Tony Blair, UK Prime Minister
You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/e6c581433cbb6e15212692da5fc20bbd
Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork

4:43

WRAP Former foes in power-sharing govt .; ADDS swearing-in ceremony

WRAP Former foes in power-sharing govt .; ADDS swearing-in ceremony

WRAP Former foes in power-sharing govt .; ADDS swearing-in ceremony

SHOTLIST
POOL
1. Deputy leader of Sinn Fein, Martin McGuinness, walking towards steps of Northern Ireland Assembly building
2. McGuinness going through door, shaking hands with Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams and others
3. Mid of leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), Ian Paisley getting out of car
4. Paisley walking into building
POOL
5. Britain's Northern Ireland SecretaryPeter Hain arriving and making the thumbs up signal on steps
POOL
6. Media outside Northern Ireland Assembly building
POOL
7. US SenatorTed Kennedy arriving
POOL
8. Various of police and security personnel outside Northern Ireland Assembly building
9. Hain and Speaker of the Assembly, Eileen Bell, waiting for British Prime MinisterTony Blair to arrive
10. Various of Blair and Irish Prime MinisterBertie Ahern arriving and greeting Hain and Bell
11. Wide of Assembly
12. Adams speaking
13. Bell sitting as Speaker of the Assembly
14. Cutaway of members of Assembly
15. Wide of Assembly
16. Paisley standing UPSOUND: "I affirm the terms of the pledge of office as set out in Schedule 4 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998."
17. Wide of Assembly with Paisley sitting down UPSOUND: "I now ask Martin McGuinness as Deputy First Minister designate to make the affirmation in the form prescribed, Mr McGuinness."
18. McGuinness standing to speak UPSOUND: (McGuinness speaks first in Irish then English) (in English) "I affirm the terms of the pledge of office as set out in Schedule 4 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998."
19. Wide of Assembly, close-up of Paisley and McGuinness UPSOUND: "I now confirm that the Right Honourable Dr Ian Paisley and Mr Martin McGuinness has affirmed the terms of the pledge of office, having taken up office as First Minister and Deputy First Minister in accordance with the Northern IrelandSt Andrews Agreement Act 2006)
POOL
20. Blair, Paisley, Ahern, Hain and McGuinness entering meeting
21. Various of meeting
22. High wide of ceremony in the grand foyer of Stormont Parliamentary Building with Blair, Paisley, Ahern, Hain and McGuinness at top of stairs looking down at dignitaries
23. Mid of Blair and Paisley
24. Dignitaries assembled at ceremony
25. Blair, Paisley, Ahern, Hain and McGuinness walking down stairs
26. Pan along Ahern, Blair, Paisley, McGuinness and Paisley
27. Assembly members including Adams on edge smiling and then looking down
STORYLINE
Protestant leader Ian Paisley, who spent decades refusing to cooperate with Northern Ireland's Catholic minority, was elected on Tuesday to oversee a power-sharing administration alongside his longtime Sinn Fein foes.
The unopposed election of Democratic Unionist Party chief Paisley and Irish Republican Army veteran Martin McGuinness to lead a new 12-member administration heralded an astonishing new era for Northern Ireland following decades of bloodshed and political stalemate that left 3,700 dead.
81-year-old Paisley immediately affirmed an oath pledging to cooperate with Catholics and the government of the neighbouring Republic of Ireland, moves that the evangelical firebrand had long denounced as surrender.
Seconds later, Sinn Fein deputy leader McGuinness accepted the number 2 post of deputy first minister.
56-year-old McGuinness affirmed the same oath, which required all ministers to support the Northern Ireland police and British courts, a position that Sinn Fein refused for decades to accept.
Within a few more minutes, all 12 power-sharing positions were filled on the basis of how many seats each party holds in the Northern Ireland Assembly.
The assembly quickly adjourned to mingle with a jubilant crowd of dignitaries and well-wishers in the grand foyer of Stormont Parliamentary Building.
McGuinness did not manage an audible peep.
You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/afe3a6cda3b78f6e35f390c18c9ae489
Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork

3:02

N IRELAND: BELFAST: MULTI PARTY PEACE TALKS AT STORMONT (2)

N IRELAND: BELFAST: MULTI PARTY PEACE TALKS AT STORMONT (2)

N IRELAND: BELFAST: MULTI PARTY PEACE TALKS AT STORMONT (2)

English/Nat
The search for a Northern Irelandpeace settlement continued on Monday with the resumption of multi-party talks at Stormont in east Belfast.
The British and Irish governments, which co-sponsor the talks, presented a two-page plan for the eight participating parties to assess.
The document sets out priorities and an agenda for the coming weeks, including proposals for constitutional change in the province.
Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams arrived for the Stormont talks the day after one of his relatives had been shot dead by a Protestant group opposed to the peace process.
There were hopes that the new year might bring new attitudes, with attention focused on the British and Irish governments' May deadline for a settlement to be reached.
But rising violence from renegade gangs on both sides and Protestant politicians' threats to withdraw from talks have sullied the negotiating environment.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"I've come from his home (Terry Enwright, the murder victim) to go in here to talk to my colleagues about negotiations. Other people are still refusing to talk in that building, other political leaders are still refusing to accept the rights of other political parties, and of other citizens, and their refusal to talk has created the vacuum which has been filled by the death squads."
SUPERCAPTION: Gerry Adams, Sinn Fein President
Politicians faced that shadow of violence on Monday as they undertook to try to find a lasting settlement in the province.
And there was a determination emanating from the British contingent.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"In a sense all these appalling murders over the holidays that have taken place over the holiday period do concentrate the mind but what they don't do is deflect from the purpose of coming to an agreement, and that's why it's so important that all the parties who were here before Christmas, all of them are now coming back, with that determination to go ahead with business."
SUPER CAPTION: Paul Murphy, Political Development Minister for Northern Ireland Office
For local parties attending the talks, there is still some dissatisfaction with the handling of the process by co-sponsors of the effort, Britain and Ireland.
Before the talks began Gary McMichael of the Ulster Democratic Party singled out the Irish government.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"We've seen the speculation over the weekend about a possible Tony Blair initiative. We're anxious to see what the contents of that might be. But I think that in this moment in time we are dissatisfied with the attitude of the Irish government and what seems to be a lack of grasp for what is possible within this, within this process."
SUPER CAPTION: Gary McMichael, Ulster Democratic Party
The negotiations began in June 1996 at this centre of British administration in east Belfast, under the direction of former U-S Senate Majority LeaderGeorge Mitchell.
Politicians last met in December, when they could not even agree an agenda outlining subjects for discussion.
This time the politicians included in the talks expressed hope that something could be achieved.
Although David Ervine of the Progressive Unionist Part warned against those who were not prepared to negotiate honestly.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Yes I've always been hopeful, that provided there is a will among participants, that we could achieve something.
I would think that as the deadline approaches the will of the participants should increase, or at least - if they're not prepared to be honourable and straightforward about this process - then it should be easily identifiable by people like yourselves that they're not."
SUPER CAPTION: David Ervine, Progressive Unionist Party
SOUNDBITE: (English)
You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/9ff05668ebb8588534dd51f51621a476
Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork

UK PM arrives at Stormont ahead of Ireland talks

(12 Feb 2018) British Prime MinisterTheresa May arrived at Stormont on Monday for a meeting with Irish leaders as hopes rose for an end to a political stalemate that has left Northern Ireland without a government for more than a year.
May and her Irish counterpart, Leo Varadkar, were due to hold talks with the main political parties in Northern Ireland's collapsed power-sharing administration.
May's office said Monday's trip was aimed at encouraging the pro-British Democratic Unionist Party and Irish nationalists of Sinn Fein to resolve their differences.
The Catholic-Protestant power-sharing administration has been suspended since January 2017, after breaking down amid scandal over a botched green-energy project.
The parties have blamed each other for the impasse that threatens power...

published: 17 Feb 2018

Choosing Carleton's MA in Public Administration

Paul Lalonde chose to study the Master of Arts: Public Administration at Carleton. In this video he tells you why.
To learn more about the program and to apply, visit: http://graduate.carleton.ca/programs/public-administration-masters
With more than 100 graduate programs, you'll find yours at Carleton. Our interdisciplinary programs allow you to shape your education based on your concerns and interests. All this while living in Canada's capital city.
Let us help you launch the next phase of your academic career.
Get connected. Join Carleton's grad school in Ottawa: http://graduate.carleton.ca/getconnected
Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/CUGradStudies

published: 04 Dec 2013

IRA Letter Scheme A 'Murky Deal', Says Robinson

Peter Robinson's comments come amid a row over whether letters sent to nearly 200 alleged IRA fugitives as part of the ongoing peace process provided them with immunity.
The writing of state-sanctioned letters, which effectively granted immunity from arrest, led to the collapse of the trial of John Downey, who was suspected of involvement in the 1982 Hyde Park bombing.
The scene of the 1982 Hyde Park bombing
Addressing the Northern Ireland Assembly which had been recalled to debate the controversy, he said: "Let me make it clear that this British government and Sinn Fein scheme is and was wrong.
"Many people considered it had the impact in the Downey case of providing an effective amnesty."
Mr Robinson said the "secret letters" scheme exposed to the full glare of public attention a process...

published: 28 Feb 2014

Do your fucking job!

Declan Kearney: Time for DUP to 'check in' to political reality of rights based administration

Declan KearneyVideoDiary: Sinn Féin have called for the British and Irish governments to convene an early meeting of the inter-governmental conference to ensure full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement and protection of people's rights in the North. For their part, the DUP need to 'check in' to the reality that it will not be returning to government in the North unless and until there is agreement on the establishment of a rights based, power sharing administration. Read more on Declan Kearney's thoughts on these issues in this latest blog published on anphoblacht.com

published: 30 Nov 2017

Question Time: OFMdFM 21 September 2015

Acting First Minister, Arlene Foster, answered Members’ questions on behalf of the Department during today’s Question Time. Steven AgnewMLA was keen to find out the costs involved in the proposed new ChildcareStrategy. The consultation period for the Strategy will end on 13 November2015 and will include a series of public consultation events. Costs will include capital grants to fund new childcare places, grant administration and registration, and inspection of facilities. The Grant Scheme will be the most costly of the 22 actions outlined in the proposal with community-based childcare, cross-border childcare, assistance for private sector providers, childcare for private firms, capital fund for childcare, flexible childcare and childcare for low income families also requiring funding. ...

published: 22 Sep 2015

N. IRELAND: BELFAST: TONY BLAIR AT MULTI PARTY PEACE TALKS

English/Nat
The British Prime MinisterTony Blair arrived on Tuesday at Stormont, the centre of British administration in Northern Ireland.
His mission is to prevent the long awaited peace settlement from unravelling only hours after it was presented to the eight parties at the negotiating table.
In a casual address to the press he maintained an optimistic approach and said that talks of this complexity would always be fraught and plagued with setbacks.
Despite the latest setback Blair felt that all sides should try any means possible to keep the peace talks on track.
The leader of Northern Ireland's main pro-British party today slammed the compromise settlement presented by the American chairman of the province's peace talks.
After 15 hours of talks, former U-S Se...

N IRELAND: BELFAST: MULTI PARTY PEACE TALKS AT STORMONT (2)

English/Nat
The search for a Northern Irelandpeace settlement continued on Monday with the resumption of multi-party talks at Stormont in east Belfast.
The British and Irish governments, which co-sponsor the talks, presented a two-page plan for the eight participating parties to assess.
The document sets out priorities and an agenda for the coming weeks, including proposals for constitutional change in the province.
Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams arrived for the Stormont talks the day after one of his relatives had been shot dead by a Protestant group opposed to the peace process.
There were hopes that the new year might bring new attitudes, with attention focused on the British and Irish governments' May deadline for a settlement to be reached.
But rising violence from r...

(12 Feb 2018) British Prime MinisterTheresa May arrived at Stormont on Monday for a meeting with Irish leaders as hopes rose for an end to a political stalemate that has left Northern Ireland without a government for more than a year.
May and her Irish counterpart, Leo Varadkar, were due to hold talks with the main political parties in Northern Ireland's collapsed power-sharing administration.
May's office said Monday's trip was aimed at encouraging the pro-British Democratic Unionist Party and Irish nationalists of Sinn Fein to resolve their differences.
The Catholic-Protestant power-sharing administration has been suspended since January 2017, after breaking down amid scandal over a botched green-energy project.
The parties have blamed each other for the impasse that threatens power-sharing, the key achievement of Northern Ireland's 1998peace accord.
May also visited aircraft workers at the Bombardier factory in east Belfast.
Bombardier's recent trade dispute with US company Boeing had threatened jobs at the Belfast plant.
However last month the proposed 292 percent tariff on the US import of the jets was overturned by the US International Trade Commission (ITC) in Washington DC.
You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/c6445d671fd6d9fb3b032dd9dab74127
Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork

(12 Feb 2018) British Prime MinisterTheresa May arrived at Stormont on Monday for a meeting with Irish leaders as hopes rose for an end to a political stalemate that has left Northern Ireland without a government for more than a year.
May and her Irish counterpart, Leo Varadkar, were due to hold talks with the main political parties in Northern Ireland's collapsed power-sharing administration.
May's office said Monday's trip was aimed at encouraging the pro-British Democratic Unionist Party and Irish nationalists of Sinn Fein to resolve their differences.
The Catholic-Protestant power-sharing administration has been suspended since January 2017, after breaking down amid scandal over a botched green-energy project.
The parties have blamed each other for the impasse that threatens power-sharing, the key achievement of Northern Ireland's 1998peace accord.
May also visited aircraft workers at the Bombardier factory in east Belfast.
Bombardier's recent trade dispute with US company Boeing had threatened jobs at the Belfast plant.
However last month the proposed 292 percent tariff on the US import of the jets was overturned by the US International Trade Commission (ITC) in Washington DC.
You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/c6445d671fd6d9fb3b032dd9dab74127
Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork

Paul Lalonde chose to study the Master of Arts: Public Administration at Carleton. In this video he tells you why.
To learn more about the program and to apply, visit: http://graduate.carleton.ca/programs/public-administration-masters
With more than 100 graduate programs, you'll find yours at Carleton. Our interdisciplinary programs allow you to shape your education based on your concerns and interests. All this while living in Canada's capital city.
Let us help you launch the next phase of your academic career.
Get connected. Join Carleton's grad school in Ottawa: http://graduate.carleton.ca/getconnected
Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/CUGradStudies

Paul Lalonde chose to study the Master of Arts: Public Administration at Carleton. In this video he tells you why.
To learn more about the program and to apply, visit: http://graduate.carleton.ca/programs/public-administration-masters
With more than 100 graduate programs, you'll find yours at Carleton. Our interdisciplinary programs allow you to shape your education based on your concerns and interests. All this while living in Canada's capital city.
Let us help you launch the next phase of your academic career.
Get connected. Join Carleton's grad school in Ottawa: http://graduate.carleton.ca/getconnected
Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/CUGradStudies

IRA Letter Scheme A 'Murky Deal', Says Robinson

Peter Robinson's comments come amid a row over whether letters sent to nearly 200 alleged IRA fugitives as part of the ongoing peace process provided them with ...

Peter Robinson's comments come amid a row over whether letters sent to nearly 200 alleged IRA fugitives as part of the ongoing peace process provided them with immunity.
The writing of state-sanctioned letters, which effectively granted immunity from arrest, led to the collapse of the trial of John Downey, who was suspected of involvement in the 1982 Hyde Park bombing.
The scene of the 1982 Hyde Park bombing
Addressing the Northern Ireland Assembly which had been recalled to debate the controversy, he said: "Let me make it clear that this British government and Sinn Fein scheme is and was wrong.
"Many people considered it had the impact in the Downey case of providing an effective amnesty."
Mr Robinson said the "secret letters" scheme exposed to the full glare of public attention a process that had been agreed well over a decade ago between Sinn Fein and the British government.
He said he believed only Sinn Fein was aware of an "administrative process and a provision of letters of comfort" to on-the-runs.
And in response to claims by Sinn Fein that the Democratic Unionist Party had "manufactured" a crisis, he told the Stormont assembly the "outrage" was "not synthetic".
"It was on outrage felt by victims, by those within the political process, that they had been bypassed by the British Government and Sinn Fein," he said.
Hyde Park bomb suspect John Downey
In reference to Prime Minister David Cameron's announcement on Thursday of a judge-led inquiry into the arrangement, Mr Robinson said the full investigation could not be "a paper exercise".
He said it needed to "get at the truth of all that went on" in order to restore public confidence - which he said had been "seriously damaged by this murky deal".
Mr Robinson said the issue raised a number of fundamental issues which demanded answers.
"We want to find out who knew what and when about letters being made available to on-the-runs," he said.
"We want to know what happened in the Downey case, never happens again.
"We want to be sure that those who are the recipients of these letters cannot rely on them to avoid questioning or prosecution, or on the basis of information or evidence that is now or may later become available."
The emergency debate was focused on a motion tabled by the DUP expressing disgust at the deal the UK Government struck with Sinn Fein on OTRs.
Northern Ireland SecretaryTheresa Villiers
Sinn Fein Deputy First MinisterMartin McGuinness accused the DUP of irresponsibly threatening the stability of power sharing.
"At many times throughout this process I could have walked away, I could have threatened to resign. I have not done that," he said.
"I have sought solutions and agreement and we have progressed to where we are today because of those agreements. The peace and political process needs (to be) defended, protected and promoted by all political leaders - it certainly does not need to be threatened."
The DUP motion was passed with only Sinn Fein members voting against it.
Mr Cameron has said the independent judge appointed to oversea the inquiry will have "full access to Government files and officials" and would report by May.
Earlier, Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers conceded there was "grave concern" about the way the scheme, created by the previous government, was operated.
But she reiterated her pledge that the so-called "amnesty" letters would not prevent suspects from being "questioned or prosecuted".
Victims' CommissionerKathrynStone said terrorism victims in Northern Ireland had been left "disappointed and bemused" by the revelations surrounding the Downey case.
Ms Stone, who has been appointed by the Stormont administration to independently represent the views of victims, added: "There are a lot of myths, let's make sure that we have real clarity," she said.

Peter Robinson's comments come amid a row over whether letters sent to nearly 200 alleged IRA fugitives as part of the ongoing peace process provided them with immunity.
The writing of state-sanctioned letters, which effectively granted immunity from arrest, led to the collapse of the trial of John Downey, who was suspected of involvement in the 1982 Hyde Park bombing.
The scene of the 1982 Hyde Park bombing
Addressing the Northern Ireland Assembly which had been recalled to debate the controversy, he said: "Let me make it clear that this British government and Sinn Fein scheme is and was wrong.
"Many people considered it had the impact in the Downey case of providing an effective amnesty."
Mr Robinson said the "secret letters" scheme exposed to the full glare of public attention a process that had been agreed well over a decade ago between Sinn Fein and the British government.
He said he believed only Sinn Fein was aware of an "administrative process and a provision of letters of comfort" to on-the-runs.
And in response to claims by Sinn Fein that the Democratic Unionist Party had "manufactured" a crisis, he told the Stormont assembly the "outrage" was "not synthetic".
"It was on outrage felt by victims, by those within the political process, that they had been bypassed by the British Government and Sinn Fein," he said.
Hyde Park bomb suspect John Downey
In reference to Prime Minister David Cameron's announcement on Thursday of a judge-led inquiry into the arrangement, Mr Robinson said the full investigation could not be "a paper exercise".
He said it needed to "get at the truth of all that went on" in order to restore public confidence - which he said had been "seriously damaged by this murky deal".
Mr Robinson said the issue raised a number of fundamental issues which demanded answers.
"We want to find out who knew what and when about letters being made available to on-the-runs," he said.
"We want to know what happened in the Downey case, never happens again.
"We want to be sure that those who are the recipients of these letters cannot rely on them to avoid questioning or prosecution, or on the basis of information or evidence that is now or may later become available."
The emergency debate was focused on a motion tabled by the DUP expressing disgust at the deal the UK Government struck with Sinn Fein on OTRs.
Northern Ireland SecretaryTheresa Villiers
Sinn Fein Deputy First MinisterMartin McGuinness accused the DUP of irresponsibly threatening the stability of power sharing.
"At many times throughout this process I could have walked away, I could have threatened to resign. I have not done that," he said.
"I have sought solutions and agreement and we have progressed to where we are today because of those agreements. The peace and political process needs (to be) defended, protected and promoted by all political leaders - it certainly does not need to be threatened."
The DUP motion was passed with only Sinn Fein members voting against it.
Mr Cameron has said the independent judge appointed to oversea the inquiry will have "full access to Government files and officials" and would report by May.
Earlier, Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers conceded there was "grave concern" about the way the scheme, created by the previous government, was operated.
But she reiterated her pledge that the so-called "amnesty" letters would not prevent suspects from being "questioned or prosecuted".
Victims' CommissionerKathrynStone said terrorism victims in Northern Ireland had been left "disappointed and bemused" by the revelations surrounding the Downey case.
Ms Stone, who has been appointed by the Stormont administration to independently represent the views of victims, added: "There are a lot of myths, let's make sure that we have real clarity," she said.

Declan KearneyVideoDiary: Sinn Féin have called for the British and Irish governments to convene an early meeting of the inter-governmental conference to ensure full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement and protection of people's rights in the North. For their part, the DUP need to 'check in' to the reality that it will not be returning to government in the North unless and until there is agreement on the establishment of a rights based, power sharing administration. Read more on Declan Kearney's thoughts on these issues in this latest blog published on anphoblacht.com

Declan KearneyVideoDiary: Sinn Féin have called for the British and Irish governments to convene an early meeting of the inter-governmental conference to ensure full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement and protection of people's rights in the North. For their part, the DUP need to 'check in' to the reality that it will not be returning to government in the North unless and until there is agreement on the establishment of a rights based, power sharing administration. Read more on Declan Kearney's thoughts on these issues in this latest blog published on anphoblacht.com

Acting First Minister, Arlene Foster, answered Members’ questions on behalf of the Department during today’s Question Time. Steven AgnewMLA was keen to find out the costs involved in the proposed new ChildcareStrategy. The consultation period for the Strategy will end on 13 November2015 and will include a series of public consultation events. Costs will include capital grants to fund new childcare places, grant administration and registration, and inspection of facilities. The Grant Scheme will be the most costly of the 22 actions outlined in the proposal with community-based childcare, cross-border childcare, assistance for private sector providers, childcare for private firms, capital fund for childcare, flexible childcare and childcare for low income families also requiring funding. Mr Agnew expressed concern that the finance will not be available for the strategy given the current financial climate. Mrs Foster argued that the intention for the scheme is to be sustainable in the longer term making the initial cash injection a prudent investment adding, “we don’t want to get in to a situation where we are paying out a grant year-on-year and drag down the market for childcare which will be the wrong way to move forward, so we need to look at how we’re putting the intervention in place and making sure we get the best value for money out of it”.
Brenda Hale then asked the Minister to outline any recent improvements in provision for Victims and Survivors. Mrs Foster affirmed the commitment to providing Victims and Survivors with the best service possible. The review of the Victims and Survivors Service in 2014 and the appointment of a new Victims Commissioner serve as evidence of the continued desire to ensure the best possible provision. A collaborative design programme was set up to provide an improved model for service delivery which better meets the needs of all victims and survivors. The expansion of services provided to Victims and Survivors was also a key aspect of the Stormont House Agreement. Mrs Hale then expressed concern about recent media reports that perpetrators will be granted amnesty for crimes committed during the Troubles as part of the Stormont House Agreement. However Mrs Foster was quick to dismiss such a suggestion saying that there is no amnesty agreed at Stormont House and no plans to include it in legislation at Westminster. The Minister described the reports as “very upsetting to a wide range of people who have suffered during the Troubles.”
During Question Time the Minister also fielded questions on the sale of the former Ministry of Defence site at Ballykelly and Social investment Fund projects in Upper Bann. The regular period for oral questions was then followed by a 15 minute period of topical questions.

Acting First Minister, Arlene Foster, answered Members’ questions on behalf of the Department during today’s Question Time. Steven AgnewMLA was keen to find out the costs involved in the proposed new ChildcareStrategy. The consultation period for the Strategy will end on 13 November2015 and will include a series of public consultation events. Costs will include capital grants to fund new childcare places, grant administration and registration, and inspection of facilities. The Grant Scheme will be the most costly of the 22 actions outlined in the proposal with community-based childcare, cross-border childcare, assistance for private sector providers, childcare for private firms, capital fund for childcare, flexible childcare and childcare for low income families also requiring funding. Mr Agnew expressed concern that the finance will not be available for the strategy given the current financial climate. Mrs Foster argued that the intention for the scheme is to be sustainable in the longer term making the initial cash injection a prudent investment adding, “we don’t want to get in to a situation where we are paying out a grant year-on-year and drag down the market for childcare which will be the wrong way to move forward, so we need to look at how we’re putting the intervention in place and making sure we get the best value for money out of it”.
Brenda Hale then asked the Minister to outline any recent improvements in provision for Victims and Survivors. Mrs Foster affirmed the commitment to providing Victims and Survivors with the best service possible. The review of the Victims and Survivors Service in 2014 and the appointment of a new Victims Commissioner serve as evidence of the continued desire to ensure the best possible provision. A collaborative design programme was set up to provide an improved model for service delivery which better meets the needs of all victims and survivors. The expansion of services provided to Victims and Survivors was also a key aspect of the Stormont House Agreement. Mrs Hale then expressed concern about recent media reports that perpetrators will be granted amnesty for crimes committed during the Troubles as part of the Stormont House Agreement. However Mrs Foster was quick to dismiss such a suggestion saying that there is no amnesty agreed at Stormont House and no plans to include it in legislation at Westminster. The Minister described the reports as “very upsetting to a wide range of people who have suffered during the Troubles.”
During Question Time the Minister also fielded questions on the sale of the former Ministry of Defence site at Ballykelly and Social investment Fund projects in Upper Bann. The regular period for oral questions was then followed by a 15 minute period of topical questions.

English/Nat
The British Prime MinisterTony Blair arrived on Tuesday at Stormont, the centre of British administration in Northern Ireland.
His mission is to prevent the long awaited peace settlement from unravelling only hours after it was presented to the eight parties at the negotiating table.
In a casual address to the press he maintained an optimistic approach and said that talks of this complexity would always be fraught and plagued with setbacks.
Despite the latest setback Blair felt that all sides should try any means possible to keep the peace talks on track.
The leader of Northern Ireland's main pro-British party today slammed the compromise settlement presented by the American chairman of the province's peace talks.
After 15 hours of talks, former U-S Senator George Mitchell emerged at 1 a-m g-m-t on Tuesday and said his draft accord would inspire "an historic few days of final negotiation" starting today.
Despite this optimism, Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble criticised Mitchell's document as unacceptable shortly after the participating parties returned at midday to the negotiating venue of Stormont.
Trimble spoke to British Prime Minister Tony Blair by telephone and dropped his bombshell.
He issued a statement warning that "the greater number of people in Northern Ireland" would not approve of Mitchell's plans.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"What is important is to work out whether there is a real difference in substance or whether we can actually overcome any of the remaining difficulties that there are but these are always going to be very tough and very hard negotiations. And I think we all recognise that, I mean I'm here because I believe it is my duty because if we've got any chance at all at bringing a stable and lasting peace to people in Northern Ireland, we've got to take the chance and leaders should lead and they should be up front when leading and that is why I am here."
SUPERCAPTION: Tony Blair, UK Prime Minister
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"I feel the hand of history upon our shoulder in respect to this, I really do and I just think we need to acknowledge that and respond to it. Now maybe it is impossible to find a way through, maybe even with the best faith in the world you can't do it, but it is right to try so I am here to try."
SUPER CAPTION: Tony Blair, UK Prime Minister
You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/e6c581433cbb6e15212692da5fc20bbd
Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork

English/Nat
The British Prime MinisterTony Blair arrived on Tuesday at Stormont, the centre of British administration in Northern Ireland.
His mission is to prevent the long awaited peace settlement from unravelling only hours after it was presented to the eight parties at the negotiating table.
In a casual address to the press he maintained an optimistic approach and said that talks of this complexity would always be fraught and plagued with setbacks.
Despite the latest setback Blair felt that all sides should try any means possible to keep the peace talks on track.
The leader of Northern Ireland's main pro-British party today slammed the compromise settlement presented by the American chairman of the province's peace talks.
After 15 hours of talks, former U-S Senator George Mitchell emerged at 1 a-m g-m-t on Tuesday and said his draft accord would inspire "an historic few days of final negotiation" starting today.
Despite this optimism, Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble criticised Mitchell's document as unacceptable shortly after the participating parties returned at midday to the negotiating venue of Stormont.
Trimble spoke to British Prime Minister Tony Blair by telephone and dropped his bombshell.
He issued a statement warning that "the greater number of people in Northern Ireland" would not approve of Mitchell's plans.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"What is important is to work out whether there is a real difference in substance or whether we can actually overcome any of the remaining difficulties that there are but these are always going to be very tough and very hard negotiations. And I think we all recognise that, I mean I'm here because I believe it is my duty because if we've got any chance at all at bringing a stable and lasting peace to people in Northern Ireland, we've got to take the chance and leaders should lead and they should be up front when leading and that is why I am here."
SUPERCAPTION: Tony Blair, UK Prime Minister
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"I feel the hand of history upon our shoulder in respect to this, I really do and I just think we need to acknowledge that and respond to it. Now maybe it is impossible to find a way through, maybe even with the best faith in the world you can't do it, but it is right to try so I am here to try."
SUPER CAPTION: Tony Blair, UK Prime Minister
You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/e6c581433cbb6e15212692da5fc20bbd
Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork

SHOTLIST
POOL
1. Deputy leader of Sinn Fein, Martin McGuinness, walking towards steps of Northern Ireland Assembly building
2. McGuinness going through door, shaking hands with Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams and others
3. Mid of leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), Ian Paisley getting out of car
4. Paisley walking into building
POOL
5. Britain's Northern Ireland SecretaryPeter Hain arriving and making the thumbs up signal on steps
POOL
6. Media outside Northern Ireland Assembly building
POOL
7. US SenatorTed Kennedy arriving
POOL
8. Various of police and security personnel outside Northern Ireland Assembly building
9. Hain and Speaker of the Assembly, Eileen Bell, waiting for British Prime MinisterTony Blair to arrive
10. Various of Blair and Irish Prime MinisterBertie Ahern arriving and greeting Hain and Bell
11. Wide of Assembly
12. Adams speaking
13. Bell sitting as Speaker of the Assembly
14. Cutaway of members of Assembly
15. Wide of Assembly
16. Paisley standing UPSOUND: "I affirm the terms of the pledge of office as set out in Schedule 4 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998."
17. Wide of Assembly with Paisley sitting down UPSOUND: "I now ask Martin McGuinness as Deputy First Minister designate to make the affirmation in the form prescribed, Mr McGuinness."
18. McGuinness standing to speak UPSOUND: (McGuinness speaks first in Irish then English) (in English) "I affirm the terms of the pledge of office as set out in Schedule 4 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998."
19. Wide of Assembly, close-up of Paisley and McGuinness UPSOUND: "I now confirm that the Right Honourable Dr Ian Paisley and Mr Martin McGuinness has affirmed the terms of the pledge of office, having taken up office as First Minister and Deputy First Minister in accordance with the Northern IrelandSt Andrews Agreement Act 2006)
POOL
20. Blair, Paisley, Ahern, Hain and McGuinness entering meeting
21. Various of meeting
22. High wide of ceremony in the grand foyer of Stormont Parliamentary Building with Blair, Paisley, Ahern, Hain and McGuinness at top of stairs looking down at dignitaries
23. Mid of Blair and Paisley
24. Dignitaries assembled at ceremony
25. Blair, Paisley, Ahern, Hain and McGuinness walking down stairs
26. Pan along Ahern, Blair, Paisley, McGuinness and Paisley
27. Assembly members including Adams on edge smiling and then looking down
STORYLINE
Protestant leader Ian Paisley, who spent decades refusing to cooperate with Northern Ireland's Catholic minority, was elected on Tuesday to oversee a power-sharing administration alongside his longtime Sinn Fein foes.
The unopposed election of Democratic Unionist Party chief Paisley and Irish Republican Army veteran Martin McGuinness to lead a new 12-member administration heralded an astonishing new era for Northern Ireland following decades of bloodshed and political stalemate that left 3,700 dead.
81-year-old Paisley immediately affirmed an oath pledging to cooperate with Catholics and the government of the neighbouring Republic of Ireland, moves that the evangelical firebrand had long denounced as surrender.
Seconds later, Sinn Fein deputy leader McGuinness accepted the number 2 post of deputy first minister.
56-year-old McGuinness affirmed the same oath, which required all ministers to support the Northern Ireland police and British courts, a position that Sinn Fein refused for decades to accept.
Within a few more minutes, all 12 power-sharing positions were filled on the basis of how many seats each party holds in the Northern Ireland Assembly.
The assembly quickly adjourned to mingle with a jubilant crowd of dignitaries and well-wishers in the grand foyer of Stormont Parliamentary Building.
McGuinness did not manage an audible peep.
You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/afe3a6cda3b78f6e35f390c18c9ae489
Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork

SHOTLIST
POOL
1. Deputy leader of Sinn Fein, Martin McGuinness, walking towards steps of Northern Ireland Assembly building
2. McGuinness going through door, shaking hands with Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams and others
3. Mid of leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), Ian Paisley getting out of car
4. Paisley walking into building
POOL
5. Britain's Northern Ireland SecretaryPeter Hain arriving and making the thumbs up signal on steps
POOL
6. Media outside Northern Ireland Assembly building
POOL
7. US SenatorTed Kennedy arriving
POOL
8. Various of police and security personnel outside Northern Ireland Assembly building
9. Hain and Speaker of the Assembly, Eileen Bell, waiting for British Prime MinisterTony Blair to arrive
10. Various of Blair and Irish Prime MinisterBertie Ahern arriving and greeting Hain and Bell
11. Wide of Assembly
12. Adams speaking
13. Bell sitting as Speaker of the Assembly
14. Cutaway of members of Assembly
15. Wide of Assembly
16. Paisley standing UPSOUND: "I affirm the terms of the pledge of office as set out in Schedule 4 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998."
17. Wide of Assembly with Paisley sitting down UPSOUND: "I now ask Martin McGuinness as Deputy First Minister designate to make the affirmation in the form prescribed, Mr McGuinness."
18. McGuinness standing to speak UPSOUND: (McGuinness speaks first in Irish then English) (in English) "I affirm the terms of the pledge of office as set out in Schedule 4 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998."
19. Wide of Assembly, close-up of Paisley and McGuinness UPSOUND: "I now confirm that the Right Honourable Dr Ian Paisley and Mr Martin McGuinness has affirmed the terms of the pledge of office, having taken up office as First Minister and Deputy First Minister in accordance with the Northern IrelandSt Andrews Agreement Act 2006)
POOL
20. Blair, Paisley, Ahern, Hain and McGuinness entering meeting
21. Various of meeting
22. High wide of ceremony in the grand foyer of Stormont Parliamentary Building with Blair, Paisley, Ahern, Hain and McGuinness at top of stairs looking down at dignitaries
23. Mid of Blair and Paisley
24. Dignitaries assembled at ceremony
25. Blair, Paisley, Ahern, Hain and McGuinness walking down stairs
26. Pan along Ahern, Blair, Paisley, McGuinness and Paisley
27. Assembly members including Adams on edge smiling and then looking down
STORYLINE
Protestant leader Ian Paisley, who spent decades refusing to cooperate with Northern Ireland's Catholic minority, was elected on Tuesday to oversee a power-sharing administration alongside his longtime Sinn Fein foes.
The unopposed election of Democratic Unionist Party chief Paisley and Irish Republican Army veteran Martin McGuinness to lead a new 12-member administration heralded an astonishing new era for Northern Ireland following decades of bloodshed and political stalemate that left 3,700 dead.
81-year-old Paisley immediately affirmed an oath pledging to cooperate with Catholics and the government of the neighbouring Republic of Ireland, moves that the evangelical firebrand had long denounced as surrender.
Seconds later, Sinn Fein deputy leader McGuinness accepted the number 2 post of deputy first minister.
56-year-old McGuinness affirmed the same oath, which required all ministers to support the Northern Ireland police and British courts, a position that Sinn Fein refused for decades to accept.
Within a few more minutes, all 12 power-sharing positions were filled on the basis of how many seats each party holds in the Northern Ireland Assembly.
The assembly quickly adjourned to mingle with a jubilant crowd of dignitaries and well-wishers in the grand foyer of Stormont Parliamentary Building.
McGuinness did not manage an audible peep.
You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/afe3a6cda3b78f6e35f390c18c9ae489
Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork

English/Nat
The search for a Northern Irelandpeace settlement continued on Monday with the resumption of multi-party talks at Stormont in east Belfast.
The British and Irish governments, which co-sponsor the talks, presented a two-page plan for the eight participating parties to assess.
The document sets out priorities and an agenda for the coming weeks, including proposals for constitutional change in the province.
Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams arrived for the Stormont talks the day after one of his relatives had been shot dead by a Protestant group opposed to the peace process.
There were hopes that the new year might bring new attitudes, with attention focused on the British and Irish governments' May deadline for a settlement to be reached.
But rising violence from renegade gangs on both sides and Protestant politicians' threats to withdraw from talks have sullied the negotiating environment.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"I've come from his home (Terry Enwright, the murder victim) to go in here to talk to my colleagues about negotiations. Other people are still refusing to talk in that building, other political leaders are still refusing to accept the rights of other political parties, and of other citizens, and their refusal to talk has created the vacuum which has been filled by the death squads."
SUPERCAPTION: Gerry Adams, Sinn Fein President
Politicians faced that shadow of violence on Monday as they undertook to try to find a lasting settlement in the province.
And there was a determination emanating from the British contingent.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"In a sense all these appalling murders over the holidays that have taken place over the holiday period do concentrate the mind but what they don't do is deflect from the purpose of coming to an agreement, and that's why it's so important that all the parties who were here before Christmas, all of them are now coming back, with that determination to go ahead with business."
SUPER CAPTION: Paul Murphy, Political Development Minister for Northern Ireland Office
For local parties attending the talks, there is still some dissatisfaction with the handling of the process by co-sponsors of the effort, Britain and Ireland.
Before the talks began Gary McMichael of the Ulster Democratic Party singled out the Irish government.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"We've seen the speculation over the weekend about a possible Tony Blair initiative. We're anxious to see what the contents of that might be. But I think that in this moment in time we are dissatisfied with the attitude of the Irish government and what seems to be a lack of grasp for what is possible within this, within this process."
SUPER CAPTION: Gary McMichael, Ulster Democratic Party
The negotiations began in June 1996 at this centre of British administration in east Belfast, under the direction of former U-S Senate Majority LeaderGeorge Mitchell.
Politicians last met in December, when they could not even agree an agenda outlining subjects for discussion.
This time the politicians included in the talks expressed hope that something could be achieved.
Although David Ervine of the Progressive Unionist Part warned against those who were not prepared to negotiate honestly.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Yes I've always been hopeful, that provided there is a will among participants, that we could achieve something.
I would think that as the deadline approaches the will of the participants should increase, or at least - if they're not prepared to be honourable and straightforward about this process - then it should be easily identifiable by people like yourselves that they're not."
SUPER CAPTION: David Ervine, Progressive Unionist Party
SOUNDBITE: (English)
You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/9ff05668ebb8588534dd51f51621a476
Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork

English/Nat
The search for a Northern Irelandpeace settlement continued on Monday with the resumption of multi-party talks at Stormont in east Belfast.
The British and Irish governments, which co-sponsor the talks, presented a two-page plan for the eight participating parties to assess.
The document sets out priorities and an agenda for the coming weeks, including proposals for constitutional change in the province.
Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams arrived for the Stormont talks the day after one of his relatives had been shot dead by a Protestant group opposed to the peace process.
There were hopes that the new year might bring new attitudes, with attention focused on the British and Irish governments' May deadline for a settlement to be reached.
But rising violence from renegade gangs on both sides and Protestant politicians' threats to withdraw from talks have sullied the negotiating environment.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"I've come from his home (Terry Enwright, the murder victim) to go in here to talk to my colleagues about negotiations. Other people are still refusing to talk in that building, other political leaders are still refusing to accept the rights of other political parties, and of other citizens, and their refusal to talk has created the vacuum which has been filled by the death squads."
SUPERCAPTION: Gerry Adams, Sinn Fein President
Politicians faced that shadow of violence on Monday as they undertook to try to find a lasting settlement in the province.
And there was a determination emanating from the British contingent.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"In a sense all these appalling murders over the holidays that have taken place over the holiday period do concentrate the mind but what they don't do is deflect from the purpose of coming to an agreement, and that's why it's so important that all the parties who were here before Christmas, all of them are now coming back, with that determination to go ahead with business."
SUPER CAPTION: Paul Murphy, Political Development Minister for Northern Ireland Office
For local parties attending the talks, there is still some dissatisfaction with the handling of the process by co-sponsors of the effort, Britain and Ireland.
Before the talks began Gary McMichael of the Ulster Democratic Party singled out the Irish government.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"We've seen the speculation over the weekend about a possible Tony Blair initiative. We're anxious to see what the contents of that might be. But I think that in this moment in time we are dissatisfied with the attitude of the Irish government and what seems to be a lack of grasp for what is possible within this, within this process."
SUPER CAPTION: Gary McMichael, Ulster Democratic Party
The negotiations began in June 1996 at this centre of British administration in east Belfast, under the direction of former U-S Senate Majority LeaderGeorge Mitchell.
Politicians last met in December, when they could not even agree an agenda outlining subjects for discussion.
This time the politicians included in the talks expressed hope that something could be achieved.
Although David Ervine of the Progressive Unionist Part warned against those who were not prepared to negotiate honestly.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Yes I've always been hopeful, that provided there is a will among participants, that we could achieve something.
I would think that as the deadline approaches the will of the participants should increase, or at least - if they're not prepared to be honourable and straightforward about this process - then it should be easily identifiable by people like yourselves that they're not."
SUPER CAPTION: David Ervine, Progressive Unionist Party
SOUNDBITE: (English)
You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/9ff05668ebb8588534dd51f51621a476
Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork

UK PM arrives at Stormont ahead of Ireland talks

(12 Feb 2018) British Prime MinisterTheresa May arrived at Stormont on Monday for a meeting with Irish leaders as hopes rose for an end to a political stalemate that has left Northern Ireland without a government for more than a year.
May and her Irish counterpart, Leo Varadkar, were due to hold talks with the main political parties in Northern Ireland's collapsed power-sharing administration.
May's office said Monday's trip was aimed at encouraging the pro-British Democratic Unionist Party and Irish nationalists of Sinn Fein to resolve their differences.
The Catholic-Protestant power-sharing administration has been suspended since January 2017, after breaking down amid scandal over a botched green-energy project.
The parties have blamed each other for the impasse that threatens power-sharing, the key achievement of Northern Ireland's 1998peace accord.
May also visited aircraft workers at the Bombardier factory in east Belfast.
Bombardier's recent trade dispute with US company Boeing had threatened jobs at the Belfast plant.
However last month the proposed 292 percent tariff on the US import of the jets was overturned by the US International Trade Commission (ITC) in Washington DC.
You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/c6445d671fd6d9fb3b032dd9dab74127
Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork

Choosing Carleton's MA in Public Administration

Paul Lalonde chose to study the Master of Arts: Public Administration at Carleton. In this video he tells you why.
To learn more about the program and to apply, visit: http://graduate.carleton.ca/programs/public-administration-masters
With more than 100 graduate programs, you'll find yours at Carleton. Our interdisciplinary programs allow you to shape your education based on your concerns and interests. All this while living in Canada's capital city.
Let us help you launch the next phase of your academic career.
Get connected. Join Carleton's grad school in Ottawa: http://graduate.carleton.ca/getconnected
Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/CUGradStudies

IRA Letter Scheme A 'Murky Deal', Says Robinson

Peter Robinson's comments come amid a row over whether letters sent to nearly 200 alleged IRA fugitives as part of the ongoing peace process provided them with immunity.
The writing of state-sanctioned letters, which effectively granted immunity from arrest, led to the collapse of the trial of John Downey, who was suspected of involvement in the 1982 Hyde Park bombing.
The scene of the 1982 Hyde Park bombing
Addressing the Northern Ireland Assembly which had been recalled to debate the controversy, he said: "Let me make it clear that this British government and Sinn Fein scheme is and was wrong.
"Many people considered it had the impact in the Downey case of providing an effective amnesty."
Mr Robinson said the "secret letters" scheme exposed to the full glare of public attention a process that had been agreed well over a decade ago between Sinn Fein and the British government.
He said he believed only Sinn Fein was aware of an "administrative process and a provision of letters of comfort" to on-the-runs.
And in response to claims by Sinn Fein that the Democratic Unionist Party had "manufactured" a crisis, he told the Stormont assembly the "outrage" was "not synthetic".
"It was on outrage felt by victims, by those within the political process, that they had been bypassed by the British Government and Sinn Fein," he said.
Hyde Park bomb suspect John Downey
In reference to Prime Minister David Cameron's announcement on Thursday of a judge-led inquiry into the arrangement, Mr Robinson said the full investigation could not be "a paper exercise".
He said it needed to "get at the truth of all that went on" in order to restore public confidence - which he said had been "seriously damaged by this murky deal".
Mr Robinson said the issue raised a number of fundamental issues which demanded answers.
"We want to find out who knew what and when about letters being made available to on-the-runs," he said.
"We want to know what happened in the Downey case, never happens again.
"We want to be sure that those who are the recipients of these letters cannot rely on them to avoid questioning or prosecution, or on the basis of information or evidence that is now or may later become available."
The emergency debate was focused on a motion tabled by the DUP expressing disgust at the deal the UK Government struck with Sinn Fein on OTRs.
Northern Ireland SecretaryTheresa Villiers
Sinn Fein Deputy First MinisterMartin McGuinness accused the DUP of irresponsibly threatening the stability of power sharing.
"At many times throughout this process I could have walked away, I could have threatened to resign. I have not done that," he said.
"I have sought solutions and agreement and we have progressed to where we are today because of those agreements. The peace and political process needs (to be) defended, protected and promoted by all political leaders - it certainly does not need to be threatened."
The DUP motion was passed with only Sinn Fein members voting against it.
Mr Cameron has said the independent judge appointed to oversea the inquiry will have "full access to Government files and officials" and would report by May.
Earlier, Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers conceded there was "grave concern" about the way the scheme, created by the previous government, was operated.
But she reiterated her pledge that the so-called "amnesty" letters would not prevent suspects from being "questioned or prosecuted".
Victims' CommissionerKathrynStone said terrorism victims in Northern Ireland had been left "disappointed and bemused" by the revelations surrounding the Downey case.
Ms Stone, who has been appointed by the Stormont administration to independently represent the views of victims, added: "There are a lot of myths, let's make sure that we have real clarity," she said.

Declan Kearney: Time for DUP to 'check in' to political reality of rights based administration

Declan KearneyVideoDiary: Sinn Féin have called for the British and Irish governments to convene an early meeting of the inter-governmental conference to ensure full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement and protection of people's rights in the North. For their part, the DUP need to 'check in' to the reality that it will not be returning to government in the North unless and until there is agreement on the establishment of a rights based, power sharing administration. Read more on Declan Kearney's thoughts on these issues in this latest blog published on anphoblacht.com

Question Time: OFMdFM 21 September 2015

Acting First Minister, Arlene Foster, answered Members’ questions on behalf of the Department during today’s Question Time. Steven AgnewMLA was keen to find out the costs involved in the proposed new ChildcareStrategy. The consultation period for the Strategy will end on 13 November2015 and will include a series of public consultation events. Costs will include capital grants to fund new childcare places, grant administration and registration, and inspection of facilities. The Grant Scheme will be the most costly of the 22 actions outlined in the proposal with community-based childcare, cross-border childcare, assistance for private sector providers, childcare for private firms, capital fund for childcare, flexible childcare and childcare for low income families also requiring funding. Mr Agnew expressed concern that the finance will not be available for the strategy given the current financial climate. Mrs Foster argued that the intention for the scheme is to be sustainable in the longer term making the initial cash injection a prudent investment adding, “we don’t want to get in to a situation where we are paying out a grant year-on-year and drag down the market for childcare which will be the wrong way to move forward, so we need to look at how we’re putting the intervention in place and making sure we get the best value for money out of it”.
Brenda Hale then asked the Minister to outline any recent improvements in provision for Victims and Survivors. Mrs Foster affirmed the commitment to providing Victims and Survivors with the best service possible. The review of the Victims and Survivors Service in 2014 and the appointment of a new Victims Commissioner serve as evidence of the continued desire to ensure the best possible provision. A collaborative design programme was set up to provide an improved model for service delivery which better meets the needs of all victims and survivors. The expansion of services provided to Victims and Survivors was also a key aspect of the Stormont House Agreement. Mrs Hale then expressed concern about recent media reports that perpetrators will be granted amnesty for crimes committed during the Troubles as part of the Stormont House Agreement. However Mrs Foster was quick to dismiss such a suggestion saying that there is no amnesty agreed at Stormont House and no plans to include it in legislation at Westminster. The Minister described the reports as “very upsetting to a wide range of people who have suffered during the Troubles.”
During Question Time the Minister also fielded questions on the sale of the former Ministry of Defence site at Ballykelly and Social investment Fund projects in Upper Bann. The regular period for oral questions was then followed by a 15 minute period of topical questions.

N. IRELAND: BELFAST: TONY BLAIR AT MULTI PARTY PEACE TALKS

English/Nat
The British Prime MinisterTony Blair arrived on Tuesday at Stormont, the centre of British administration in Northern Ireland.
His mission is to prevent the long awaited peace settlement from unravelling only hours after it was presented to the eight parties at the negotiating table.
In a casual address to the press he maintained an optimistic approach and said that talks of this complexity would always be fraught and plagued with setbacks.
Despite the latest setback Blair felt that all sides should try any means possible to keep the peace talks on track.
The leader of Northern Ireland's main pro-British party today slammed the compromise settlement presented by the American chairman of the province's peace talks.
After 15 hours of talks, former U-S Senator George Mitchell emerged at 1 a-m g-m-t on Tuesday and said his draft accord would inspire "an historic few days of final negotiation" starting today.
Despite this optimism, Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble criticised Mitchell's document as unacceptable shortly after the participating parties returned at midday to the negotiating venue of Stormont.
Trimble spoke to British Prime Minister Tony Blair by telephone and dropped his bombshell.
He issued a statement warning that "the greater number of people in Northern Ireland" would not approve of Mitchell's plans.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"What is important is to work out whether there is a real difference in substance or whether we can actually overcome any of the remaining difficulties that there are but these are always going to be very tough and very hard negotiations. And I think we all recognise that, I mean I'm here because I believe it is my duty because if we've got any chance at all at bringing a stable and lasting peace to people in Northern Ireland, we've got to take the chance and leaders should lead and they should be up front when leading and that is why I am here."
SUPERCAPTION: Tony Blair, UK Prime Minister
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"I feel the hand of history upon our shoulder in respect to this, I really do and I just think we need to acknowledge that and respond to it. Now maybe it is impossible to find a way through, maybe even with the best faith in the world you can't do it, but it is right to try so I am here to try."
SUPER CAPTION: Tony Blair, UK Prime Minister
You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/e6c581433cbb6e15212692da5fc20bbd
Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork

WRAP Former foes in power-sharing govt .; ADDS swearing-in ceremony

SHOTLIST
POOL
1. Deputy leader of Sinn Fein, Martin McGuinness, walking towards steps of Northern Ireland Assembly building
2. McGuinness going through door, shaking hands with Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams and others
3. Mid of leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), Ian Paisley getting out of car
4. Paisley walking into building
POOL
5. Britain's Northern Ireland SecretaryPeter Hain arriving and making the thumbs up signal on steps
POOL
6. Media outside Northern Ireland Assembly building
POOL
7. US SenatorTed Kennedy arriving
POOL
8. Various of police and security personnel outside Northern Ireland Assembly building
9. Hain and Speaker of the Assembly, Eileen Bell, waiting for British Prime MinisterTony Blair to arrive
10. Various of Blair and Irish Prime MinisterBertie Ahern arriving and greeting Hain and Bell
11. Wide of Assembly
12. Adams speaking
13. Bell sitting as Speaker of the Assembly
14. Cutaway of members of Assembly
15. Wide of Assembly
16. Paisley standing UPSOUND: "I affirm the terms of the pledge of office as set out in Schedule 4 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998."
17. Wide of Assembly with Paisley sitting down UPSOUND: "I now ask Martin McGuinness as Deputy First Minister designate to make the affirmation in the form prescribed, Mr McGuinness."
18. McGuinness standing to speak UPSOUND: (McGuinness speaks first in Irish then English) (in English) "I affirm the terms of the pledge of office as set out in Schedule 4 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998."
19. Wide of Assembly, close-up of Paisley and McGuinness UPSOUND: "I now confirm that the Right Honourable Dr Ian Paisley and Mr Martin McGuinness has affirmed the terms of the pledge of office, having taken up office as First Minister and Deputy First Minister in accordance with the Northern IrelandSt Andrews Agreement Act 2006)
POOL
20. Blair, Paisley, Ahern, Hain and McGuinness entering meeting
21. Various of meeting
22. High wide of ceremony in the grand foyer of Stormont Parliamentary Building with Blair, Paisley, Ahern, Hain and McGuinness at top of stairs looking down at dignitaries
23. Mid of Blair and Paisley
24. Dignitaries assembled at ceremony
25. Blair, Paisley, Ahern, Hain and McGuinness walking down stairs
26. Pan along Ahern, Blair, Paisley, McGuinness and Paisley
27. Assembly members including Adams on edge smiling and then looking down
STORYLINE
Protestant leader Ian Paisley, who spent decades refusing to cooperate with Northern Ireland's Catholic minority, was elected on Tuesday to oversee a power-sharing administration alongside his longtime Sinn Fein foes.
The unopposed election of Democratic Unionist Party chief Paisley and Irish Republican Army veteran Martin McGuinness to lead a new 12-member administration heralded an astonishing new era for Northern Ireland following decades of bloodshed and political stalemate that left 3,700 dead.
81-year-old Paisley immediately affirmed an oath pledging to cooperate with Catholics and the government of the neighbouring Republic of Ireland, moves that the evangelical firebrand had long denounced as surrender.
Seconds later, Sinn Fein deputy leader McGuinness accepted the number 2 post of deputy first minister.
56-year-old McGuinness affirmed the same oath, which required all ministers to support the Northern Ireland police and British courts, a position that Sinn Fein refused for decades to accept.
Within a few more minutes, all 12 power-sharing positions were filled on the basis of how many seats each party holds in the Northern Ireland Assembly.
The assembly quickly adjourned to mingle with a jubilant crowd of dignitaries and well-wishers in the grand foyer of Stormont Parliamentary Building.
McGuinness did not manage an audible peep.
You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/afe3a6cda3b78f6e35f390c18c9ae489
Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork

N IRELAND: BELFAST: MULTI PARTY PEACE TALKS AT STORMONT (2)

English/Nat
The search for a Northern Irelandpeace settlement continued on Monday with the resumption of multi-party talks at Stormont in east Belfast.
The British and Irish governments, which co-sponsor the talks, presented a two-page plan for the eight participating parties to assess.
The document sets out priorities and an agenda for the coming weeks, including proposals for constitutional change in the province.
Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams arrived for the Stormont talks the day after one of his relatives had been shot dead by a Protestant group opposed to the peace process.
There were hopes that the new year might bring new attitudes, with attention focused on the British and Irish governments' May deadline for a settlement to be reached.
But rising violence from renegade gangs on both sides and Protestant politicians' threats to withdraw from talks have sullied the negotiating environment.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"I've come from his home (Terry Enwright, the murder victim) to go in here to talk to my colleagues about negotiations. Other people are still refusing to talk in that building, other political leaders are still refusing to accept the rights of other political parties, and of other citizens, and their refusal to talk has created the vacuum which has been filled by the death squads."
SUPERCAPTION: Gerry Adams, Sinn Fein President
Politicians faced that shadow of violence on Monday as they undertook to try to find a lasting settlement in the province.
And there was a determination emanating from the British contingent.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"In a sense all these appalling murders over the holidays that have taken place over the holiday period do concentrate the mind but what they don't do is deflect from the purpose of coming to an agreement, and that's why it's so important that all the parties who were here before Christmas, all of them are now coming back, with that determination to go ahead with business."
SUPER CAPTION: Paul Murphy, Political Development Minister for Northern Ireland Office
For local parties attending the talks, there is still some dissatisfaction with the handling of the process by co-sponsors of the effort, Britain and Ireland.
Before the talks began Gary McMichael of the Ulster Democratic Party singled out the Irish government.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"We've seen the speculation over the weekend about a possible Tony Blair initiative. We're anxious to see what the contents of that might be. But I think that in this moment in time we are dissatisfied with the attitude of the Irish government and what seems to be a lack of grasp for what is possible within this, within this process."
SUPER CAPTION: Gary McMichael, Ulster Democratic Party
The negotiations began in June 1996 at this centre of British administration in east Belfast, under the direction of former U-S Senate Majority LeaderGeorge Mitchell.
Politicians last met in December, when they could not even agree an agenda outlining subjects for discussion.
This time the politicians included in the talks expressed hope that something could be achieved.
Although David Ervine of the Progressive Unionist Part warned against those who were not prepared to negotiate honestly.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Yes I've always been hopeful, that provided there is a will among participants, that we could achieve something.
I would think that as the deadline approaches the will of the participants should increase, or at least - if they're not prepared to be honourable and straightforward about this process - then it should be easily identifiable by people like yourselves that they're not."
SUPER CAPTION: David Ervine, Progressive Unionist Party
SOUNDBITE: (English)
You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/9ff05668ebb8588534dd51f51621a476
Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork